Khalid Jones, CEO of the Virginia Lottery, is highlighted in SiGMA Magazine, launched during BiS SiGMA Americas 2025 in S?o Paulo. This feature delves into Jones’s transformative leadership, his industry-shaping vision, and the dynamic collaboration between the Virginia Lottery and SiGMA Group, as the sector navigates rapid digitalisation and evolving player expectations.
Jones’s approach is rooted in the belief that ideas, not hierarchy, fuel innovation. “Your position on the organisation chart does not determine the strength of your idea,” he asserts-a philosophy that has driven record employee satisfaction and propelled the Lottery to new heights. Under his stewardship, the Virginia Lottery reported an unprecedented $5.5 billion in revenue and $934 million in profits for the fiscal year 2024, channelling these gains directly into Virginia’s public education system. For Jones, the mission is unequivocal: “Achieving record profits means more resources for our educators and students.”
Appointed in April 2024, Jones brings a multifaceted background spanning law, licensing, and business strategy, with experience at All American Licensing, The Kolier Group, and SourceRock Partners. His leadership is marked by a deft balance between honouring the Lottery’s legacy and embracing technological advancement. “Our legacy is continually forged by our over 5,300 retail partners and our players,” he notes, “and we are fortunate to help write the ongoing story of the Virginia Lottery.”
Central to Jones’s vision is the Lottery’s digital transformation. Since launching online sales in 2020, the Virginia Lottery became the first in the US to see iLottery gross gaming revenue surpass retail sales by 2024-a milestone achieved alongside record-breaking profits and retailer compensation. Jones envisions an ecosystem where players design their own games through AI-driven engines, and where the sense of community becomes the new frontier for engagement.
Equally, Jones champions responsible gaming, leveraging the Lottery’s prominent platform to promote healthy play and public awareness. The Virginia Lottery’s efforts have earned it the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country, underscoring a commitment to integrity and player protection. Beyond financial contributions, Jones has launched outreach programmes encouraging staff volunteerism, further embedding the Lottery’s role in community empowerment.
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